Winger to sign three-year, entry-level contract

RALEIGH, NC – Jason Karmanos, Vice President and Assistant General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has agreed to terms with right wing Jared Staal on a three-year, entry-level contract. The deal will pay Staal $500,000 at the NHL level in 2010-11, and $525,000 at the NHL level in 2011-12 and 2012-13. He will be paid $50,000 on the AHL level in all three seasons, and receives a signing bonus of $150,000. Staal was acquired on Thursday from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

Staal, 19, totaled 12 goals and 37 assists (49 points) in 59 games this season for Sudbury of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), leading the Wolves in assists (37). He also played in five games for San Antonio of the American Hockey League (AHL) at the conclusion of Sudbury’s season, earning one assist. Selected by the Coyotes in the second round, 49th overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Staal played four seasons for Sudbury, earning 54 goals and 99 assists (153 points) in 249 games played. He has one assist in 10 career AHL games, all with San Antonio. Staal (6’3”, 198 lbs.), scored a goal in the 2008 Top Prospects Game, and netted the game-winning goal for Sudbury in the 2007 OHL Conference Finals. All of his three older brothers play in the NHL, including Eric, who serves as the Hurricanes’ captain.